There’s nothing quite like a Model A Ford. They’re one of the most prolific car models after the Model T, still relatively common even 93 years after the first car came off the assembly line. They’re older than most people alive, yet they can still keep up easily with modern traffic, except highways. They’ve been jalopies, hot rods, show cars, and wartime transportation; they’ve been modified, restored, and raced. This 1929 Model A Roadster, for sale here on craigslist is at a crossroads. Located in Post Falls, Washington State, for $9,500, this car awaits a new buyer who will make it their own. Thanks to Ikey Heyman for the contribution.
By the middle 1920s, the Model T was outdated. It had started production in 1908, and for many years the “Tin Lizzie” – as it was known popularly – was the best-selling car in America. However, in the ’20s General Motors started producing cars with more “modern features” as standard, such as electric start, forcing Ford to play catchup, and Ford started losing market share. The Model A was the response. The car had modern styling, a larger engine, a standard three-speed transmission, and four-wheel brakes, all things we take for granted in a modern car. Walter Keefe even wrote a song, called “Henry’s Made a Lady Out of Lizzie”, about the improvement the A was over the T.
The first thing that you notice about this Model A is that it has surface rust and plenty of it. The fenders also have some major dents, and the right door looks as though it was taken apart and welded back together from the inside. There are some rust holes in the metal seat pan and some minor holes in the right rear panel. That said, it’s refreshingly solid for its age and barn find status. The seller states the motor turns over and that the car is complete. It has later 1935 Ford wheels on it, a common change in the later ’30s-’50s, but there are original Model A wheels in the rumble seat if the buyer wants to use those. It is hard to say if this was a deluxe or a standard trim car but the rumble seat and spare tire point to the deluxe.
As always, there are many options open to new the new owner of the car. It could be restored, hot rodded, or driven as is. With there being plenty of restored examples of Model As driving around, it could be preserved as a rusty driver or used as a basis for a traditional hot rod. For me, this car screams traditional late 1930s-early 1940s hot rod build. Add dual 97s, high compression header, lower the suspension, chop the windshield and you’ll have a decent little period hot rod. What would you do?
I am always amazed that these unrestored Fords still exist.
Darn Texas plates…..another one that got away !
I’m thinking 1928. Check the radiator shell shape.
I agree. In the late 1950 – early 60s, I had a 28 Sport couple. Several things seem to point to a 28. The frame number is under the floor board on the right side.
I thought the serial number which matched the engine number was on the drivers side left on top of the frame. That is where it is on my 1929 AA
1928 and ’29’s shared the same shape, the ’30 changed, and not until ’32 changed again.
The 1927-8 Model A had a red steering wheel.
The listing has been deleted ☹️
Too much money for a model A in this condition considering the amount of cash needed to bring it back to showroom condition and a $ 50000 car ! But hey, if you got the cash and money is no object, go for it! Good luck!
Agreed. Even though the (hopefully original) phlathead looks like it has had work done to it, MHO is that it is waaay overpriced.
Hm….when is the last time we saw a Model A worth 50k?
It’s gone already :(
Mighty nice as is. Why ruin it by rodding, there are lots of junkers around for that. And remember they are gone once changed, but oh so beautiful like this!
Ford did not make a deluxe roadster in 28 or 29. The easiest way is to look at the windshield stanchions; non folding is standard and folding is deluxe.
Maybe too much money in today’s market , but it would have been more back in the day when a model A roadster was almost in the same league as a 32 roadster. I agree with the author this could make a great little hot rod for a TROG event
Gone pretty fast, despite all the talk of it being way overpriced.
Either the comments were wrong, and it sold for at or near the ask, or the price was just a starting point and the seller made a deal for less.
Wouldn’t it be cool if the sale price were somehow revealed on ads like this. My guess is that it sold for pretty close to the asking price. Not that many complete, original cars like this left.
I just get this feeling that in 25 years, someone is going to drag out a complete Model A from a barn in New Mexico or Maine. You’d of thunk all have been found but here it is or was… wow.
Mr. Magoo.
Would be nice to know what the final price was. Way, way overpriced IMHO.